International Box Office: Resident Evil not Going Anywhere

September 15th, 2010

Resident Evil: Afterlife took top spot on the international chart. In fact, it dominated with $41.70 million on 3,935 screens in 33 markets for a total of $68.36 million worldwide. After just one weekend of release, the film is nearly halfway to catching up with Extinction for best in the franchise. It goes without saying that there will be another installment. Its biggest individual market was Japan, where it opened in first place with $13.27 million on 649 screens over the weekend and $15.58 million in total. It also took the top spot in Spain with an impressive $3.36 million on 488 screens, while it was a little softer in the U.K. with a chart topping opening of $2.61 million on 361 screens. On the other hand, it had to settle for second place in Italy with $1.72 million on 270 screens during its debut there.

Dabangg opened in second place with $20.03 million on 1,063 screens in 18 markets. Needless to say, it was a monster hit in its native India, breaking many records along the way. Given this start, and the lack of competition this coming weekend, it could top 3 Idiots for the biggest Indian hit of all time.

Inception was pushed into third place with $16.37 million on 6,897 screens in 62 markets for totals of $456.77 million internationally and $738.98 million worldwide. The lack of major market openings didn't hurt the film too much, as it was down only 22% from last week. Also, even with only one more major market opening in its future (Italy) it will have no trouble hitting $500 million internationally and $800 million worldwide.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice climbed its way to fourth place with $9.78 million on 3,800 screens in 33 markets for a total of $128.00 million internationally and $190.16 million worldwide. It really struggled domestically, but it could do well enough internationally that it won't be a total failure financially. The film opened in Australia, but only managed fourth place with $1.20 million on 218 screens. It also opened in China, but numbers were not released.

The Expendables fell from second to fifth with $8.25 million on 4,015 screens in 43 markets over the weekend for a total of $139.10 million after a month. It has yet to open in Japan, and by the time it does, it should have reached $250 million worldwide, which is more than enough to justify a sequel.

Despicable Me returned to the chart in sixth place with $6.64 million on 1,156 screens in 26 markets for a still early total of $82.01 million on the international scene. It opened wide in Australia this past weekend with $3.02 million on 398 screens for a total of $4.57 million. It has yet to open in France, Germany, U.K., Japan, Spain, Italy, and other major markets, so it is a little hard to predict where it will end up, but $400 million to $500 million worldwide is a reasonable goal.

The Last Airbender was right behind with $6.62 million on 2,748 screens in 43 markets for totals of $150.55 million internationally and $281.95 million worldwide, which is just a hair more than it cost to make and advertise. With Australia and Italy still ahead, it should have little trouble getting to $300 million worldwide, but it will need a strong run on the home market to show a profit any time soon.

Step Up 3D slipped back into eighth place with $5.85 million on 1,829 screens in 36 markets for a total of $95.00 million internationally and $136.80 million worldwide. By this time next week, it should have $100 million internationally, while it should soon become the biggest hit in the franchise.

Salt added $5.75 million on 3,157 screens in 66 markets for a total of $156.28 million internationally and $272.73 million worldwide.

The Karate Kid barely hung onto a spot in the top ten with $5.61 million on 3,116 screens in 45 markets for a total of $167.48 million internationally and $344.94 million worldwide.

Toy Story 3 fell out of the top ten with $5.59 million on 3,473 screens in 34 markets lifting its total to $632.10 million internationally and $1.04 billion worldwide. It is now the highest grossing film of the year and the fifth-highest-grossing film of all-time. It looks like Dead Man's Chest's spot on the all time chart is in jeopardy, but it will be close either way.

Further down the list we find Karigurashi No Arietty in 16th place with $3.71 million on 738 screens in 2 markets for a total of $105.57 million. The Japanese film crossed the century mark in its home market, while it opened in second place in South Korea with $2.47 million on 419 screens over the weekend for a total debut of $2.74 million. It will be interesting to see how well it does in other international markets, and whether or not it will be enough to earn a significant theatrical release here.